This article provides information on how to file a narrowbanding application in the Universal Licensing System (ULS).

The key part of filing a narrowbanding application involves the emission designator. You can either modify an existing emission designator to change it from a wideband designator to a narrowband designator, or you can delete the wideband emission designator.

Note: An application that alters other technical parameters such as changing from analog to digital emissions is not a straight narrowbanding application and will require frequency coordination.

Two ULS Narrowbanding tools are available to simplify the filing of narrowbanding modification applications to (1) reduce bandwidth on a wideband emisssion designator to narrowband (occupied bandwidth of 11.25 KHz or less); or (2) remove the wideband emission. To access the narrowbanding modification tools, users must use an FRN and Password or a unique access code. Licensees who need an access code should contact the Licensing Support Center at (877) 480-3201, option #5.

Applications filed using these tools do not require frequency coordination or payment of Commission fees. The narrowbanding modification tools will only provide access to authorizations that do not require IRAC coordination or Quiet Zone notification and that are not associated with any other pending applications.

If an applicant does not use one of the narrowband tools to file a simple narrowbanding application to delete or modify wideband emissions, it must file an application for a simple narrowbanding license modification using the ULS form 601.

Steps to Filing a narrowbanding application in ULS

Log in to ULS Online Filing with your FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password.

Note: If you are taken to the My Applications page, click My Licenses to begin the steps below.

Towards the bottom left of the screen, Enter the call sign of the license you want to narrowband and click Go.

On the top right of the screen, Click Update under Work on This License.

On the Select Updates screen, check the Technical Data box and click Continue.

Note: At this point, a screen will load in your browser.

Complete the information on the Application Information screen and click Next Page.

Complete the General Certification Statements screen and click the Frequency tab at the top of the screen.

Note: By typing your first and last name in the name fields you have signed your application.

To add a narrowband emission designator and remove a wideband emission designator, select Delete Emission and then select Add Emission.

Once you are finished, click Submit.

FAQs – Filing a narrowbanding application in ULS

Do narrowbanding applications require frequency coordination?

No. A “straight” narrowbanding modification application does not require frequency coordination (pursuant to Section 90.175(j)(20) of the Commission’s Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 90.175(j)(20)). A straight narrowbanding modification application is an application to modify a license by deleting a wideband emission designator (occupied bandwidth in excess of 11.25 kHz) or reducing bandwidth on a wideband emission designator to narrowband (occupied bandwidth of 11.25 kHz or less) - but not changing the existing frequencies, emission types (the last three characters of the emission designator), locations, or other technical parameters of the license.

Note: An application that reduces the occupied bandwidth but also alters other technical parameters, such as changing from analog to digital emissions, is not a straight narrowbanding modification application and requires frequency coordination.

Straight narrowbanding applications are fee-exempt pursuant to Section 1.1116(a) of the Commission’s Rules, which exempts applications filed for the sole purpose of modifying a license in order to comply with new requirements of the Commission’s rules.

To file under the fee exemption, the applicant filling out FCC Form 601 must enter ‘yes’ responses to Items 9 (exempt from the application fee) and 10 (exempt from the regulatory fee). In addition, the applicant must respond ‘yes’ to Item 8 on Form 601 and submit an attachment explaining why the application is fee-exempt. The attachment type should be the 'fee exemption' attachment. It is recommended that licensees reference Section 1.1116(a) in the attachment explanation field and indicate that the filing was made exclusively to comply with the Commission's narrowbanding mandate.

Make sure your license is active. Licenses with a status of expired, cancelled, or terminated cannot be modified.

How do I know if my application is received at the FCC?

Applications will appear either the next business day in ULS Application Search or two businesses days later for applications filed on a weekend or federal holiday. Enter the file number in the ULS Application Search to find your application.